Wednesday vs. Bournemouth

Preview: Owls v Bournemouth

HIGH-flying Bournemouth are the visitors to Hillsborough on Saturday as Wednesday look to make it three wins on the spin and six matches unbeaten in all competitions.

The Owls have enjoyed a steady rise back up the npower League One table in recent weeks and three points against the Cherries could fire them back into the automatic promotion spots if Peterborough United slip up.

The visitors have enjoyed a better-than-expected start to the campaign though and will be keen to add Wednesday to their list of scalps so far this season.

Vital Quotes:

Owls boss Alan Irvine told the Sheffield Star:

'Probably, for the first time, we might have one or two players sitting in the stand.

'That's something that probably won't happen very often this season; it's something we'll have to manage as well.

'There will be perhaps a couple of knocks on my door on Monday morning. It's all part of my job.'

Wednesday Team News:

Owls boss Alan Irvine is set to have an injury-free squad to choose from for the visit of the Cherries - something which is a bit of a rare occurrence at Hillsborough.

Both Giles Coke and Mark Beevers are both fit and available for selection, Beevers returning sooner than expected following an ankle injury.

But Irvine could well stick with the same eleven that picked up the points at Yeovil this weekend, although the promotion of Jermaine Johnson, a goalscorer at Huish Park, from the bench to the starting eleven is a possibility.

The only player who will definitely be missing is Jon Otsemobor through suspension following his sending off at Yeovil in the latter stages.

It could mean Lewis Buxton reverts to right-back and Beevers returns alongside Darren Purse at the heart of the defence.

Player to watch: Jermaine Johnson

Wednesday fans are desperate to see JJ back in action on home soil and he's expected to take part at some part - whether the Jamaican returns to the first team or is used as a substitute remains to be seen.

Bournemouth Team News:

Bournemouth make the trip to Hillsborough as the divisions second highest scorers while Wednesday have the joint-best defensive record.

It'll make for an interesting game and Cherries boss Eddie Howe could stick with the same starting eleven that saw off MK Dons 3-2 last time out.

Harry Arter could return for the Dean Court club while striker Michael Symes will be given a late fitness test after missing the last outing through a shoulder injury.

Player to watch: Marc Pugh

The midfielder is one of Bournemouth's key men to their success and he'll be a handful for the Wednesday midfield, and defence, to keep an eye on this weekend. His signature was sought after in the summer but the Cherries got their man.

Match Facts & Stats

Form:

Wednesday: W-W-W-D-L

Bournemouth: W-D-L-W-W

Head-to-Head:

Wednesday wins: 3

Bournemouth wins: 4

Draws: 4

Last Time Out:

Bournemouth 1-1 Wednesday

Dean Court, 15/01/05

Wednesday rescued a point at Dean Court the last time the two clubs met as Paul Heckingbottom netted a last-minute leveller. Garreth O'Connor had given the Cherries the lead.

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